Storage tank floor-wall joint connection device

Abstract

The invention concerns a floor-to-wall joint connection “BearStop” device for providing both a water-tight seal, as well as load-bearing and flexibility between two closely abutting or adjacent structures, such as the wall and foundation of a storage tank. Embodiments also provide motion or sliding capabilities to accommodate expansion and contraction in the joint area between the wall and the foundation. A knee section provides a testing channel usable for testing the integrity of the seal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A BearStop device, adapted to seal a joint between a wall and a foundation, comprising:
 a bearing pad section having a supporting surface, configured to support a wall, and a sliding surface, configured to slidably engage with the foundation; 
 
       an anchor section that is perpendicular to the bearing pad section and configured to be embedded within the foundation;
 at least one guide disposed proximal to the anchor section and parallel to the sliding surface for indicating a depth to which the anchor section is embedded in the foundation; 
 a knee section, operably connecting the bearing pad section and the anchor section, having a ramp forming an angle relative to the sliding surface and a curved shoulder proximal to the at least one guide, such that, when the Bearstop is installed, the knee section provides a testing channel configured above the surface of the foundation. 
 
     
     
       2. The BearStop device, according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more securing features. 
     
     
       3. The BearStop device, according to  claim 1 , wherein the ramp forms an angle of between about 5° and 90°. 
     
     
       4. The BearStop device, according to  claim 3 , wherein the ramp forms an angle of about 30°. 
     
     
       5. The BearStop device, according to  claim 1 , wherein the bearing pad section has a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the anchor section. 
     
     
       6. The BearStop device, according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor section has a width of between about 2″ and about 8.5″. 
     
     
       7. The BearStop device, according to  claim 6 , wherein the bearing pad section has a width of between about 2″ and about 4.5″. 
     
     
       8. The BearStop device, according to  claim 7 , wherein the knee section has a width of between about 1″ and about 3″. 
     
     
       9. The BearStop device, according to  claim 1 , having a total width of about 11″. 
     
     
       10. A method for sealing a joint, adapted to be used between a wall and a foundation of a storage tank, comprising:
 embedding the anchor section of the BearStop device, according to  claim 1 , so that the at least one guide is configured approximately level with the foundation, 
 positioning the bearing pad section, of the Bearstop device, with the sliding surface against the foundation, so as to facilitating movement between the wall and the foundation, and 
 connecting the wall to the bearing pad section, with the knee section extending from the joint, thereby sealing the joint between the wall and the foundation and forming a testing channel between the knee section and the foundation on an interior the storage tank. 
 
     
     
       11. The method, according to  claim 10 , wherein the BearStop device further comprises at least one securing feature on the supporting surface. 
     
     
       12. The method, according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one securing feature is a fin and the method comprises operably connecting the wall to the fin. 
     
     
       13. The method, according to  claim 12 , wherein the BearStop device further comprises a nail strip and the method further comprises securing the bearing pad section with the sliding surface against the foundation utilizing the nail strip. 
     
     
       14. The method, according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one securing feature on the bearing pad section and the method further comprises connecting the wall to the securing feature. 
     
     
       15. A method for testing a seal, between a wall and a foundation of a storage tank, comprising:
 installing a BearStop device, according to  claim 1 , with the wall operably connected to the bearing pad section and the anchor section embedded in the foundation approximately level with the at least one guide, so that the knee section forms a testing channel configured above the surface of the foundation; 
 filling the testing channel with a fluid to a prescribed pressure; and 
 observing the BearStop device for fluid leaks. 
 
     
     
       16. The method, according to  claim 15 , wherein the fluid is a gas. 
     
     
       17. The method, according to  claim 15 , wherein the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
       18. The method, according to  claim 15 , wherein the BearStop device is observed for leaks prior to the storage tank being put into service. 
     
     
       19. The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein the prescribed pressure is between about 3 p.s.i and about 15 p.s.i. 
     
     
       20. A concrete tank comprising a wall, a foundation, a joint between the wall and the foundation, and a BearStop device according to  claim 1  installed with the bearing pad section at the joint to support the wall and facilitate sliding motion between the wall and the foundation and the anchor section embedded in the foundation to approximately the level of the at least one guide to position the knee section above the foundation on an interior of the tank.